ELECTION GUIDE
GLEN ROSE REPORTER & YOURGLENROSETX.COM | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | PAGE C13
Curtis unopposed in re-election bid
When and where to cast a ballot EARLY VOTING
When: Feb. 18-28 Ballots may be cast 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Polls will also be open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Where: Somervell County Annex conference room, located at 206 Elm Street Requirements: Per new state laws, photo identification is required Accommodations: Curbside voting is available by calling the elections office at (254) 897-9470 from outside the county annex. An individual representing a voter may also enter the elections office and request assistance on their behalf.
ELECTION DAY
AMANDA KIMBLE/GRR
Incumbent Commissioner John Curtis, Pct. 2, is running unopposed on the March 4 Republican primary ballot and will also not face a challenge in November. At a Feb. 6 candidate forum, Curtis said he had been serving on Somervell County Commissioners Court for “three years, one month and six days” and remains dedicated to service, spending time and effort to educate himself on every topic and issue presented to the court.
When: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 Where: • Precinct 1 — County Annex conference room, 206 Elm Street • Precinct 2 — Somervell County Citizens Center Paluxy Room, 209 SW Barnard Street • Precinct 3 — Somervell County Expo Center, 202 Bo Gibbs Boulevard • Precinct 4 — Oakdale Park Convention Center, 1019 NE Barnard Street Sample ballots are available online at co.somervell.tx.us. Click the “Elections” link on the homepage — or go directly to co.somervell.tx.us/elections — and select the sample ballot for your precinct and party. For more information, contact Elections Administrator Cathy Thomas at 897-9470.
Voting local? Vote Republican AMANDA KIMBLE
news@theglenrosereporter.com
The countdown is on. With early voting in the March 4 primary beginning in just days, candidates across the county and state are working to garner voter support. While a primary race typically narrows the candidate pool to one individual per party, Elections Administrator Cathy Thomas is reminding local voters only one ballot will include the names of county candidates. “If they want to vote for local candidates, they will want to vote in the Republican primary,” Thomas said. “All of our county
candidates are on the Republican ballot.” Meanwhile, the race to the governor’s mansion has many Democrats intent on having a voice in helping nail down the party’s nomination in that race. And casting a ballot in the Democratic primary will disqualify voters from participating in the Republican runoff election in May if one is needed in county races. “A runoff election is likely,” Thomas said. The March 4 Republican ballot includes four races that are thick with competition — five candidates for county judge, four for commissioner precinct 4, three for
county/district clerk and four for treasurer. There are five contested races that include 18 candidates vying for the offices. A runoff election is ordered when a candidate in any given office doesn’t garner an absolute majority of the votes, or “50 plus 1 percent,” Thomas explained. If a local runoff election is not necessary, Thomas said county voters who cast ballots in the Republican primary are still not allowed to weigh in on the Democratic runoff for state offices. “They cannot vote in a party’s runoff election if they voted in another party’s primary,” she explained.
While there are no Democratic candidates on the county ballot, voters who wish to have a voice in the party’s nomination of U.S. Senator, governor, agriculture commissioner or other contested races, will have to decide between voting in the Republican primary for local races or in the Democratic primary for those beyond the county line. The lack of Democratic contenders also means county offices will most likely be decided no later than May, but the frontrunners are not declared the winners until after being “officially elected in November,” Somervell County Republican Party Chair Deedee
Jones said. And there is still a chance the Republican nominees could see a challenge later in the year, as individuals can become write-in candidates in the general election. Jones said write-in candidates do not participate in primary elections, cannot align themselves with the Republican and Democratic parties and will only appear on the November ballot. A Declaration of Write-In Candidacy must be filed with the county between July 19-Aug. 18, and must include a filing fee or a nomination petition with a designated number of signatures. The requirements vary by office.